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MG MGB Technical - Removing dashboard/fascia on Mk2 GT

I'm trying to remove the dashboard panel of my '68 GT in order to investigate the lights switch, which I suspect to be broken: the sidelights come on fine but I don't get voltage at the headlights nor can I turn the full beam on.

The manuals I've got cheerfully say something like "Remove the lower fascia panel screws and remove the panel..." but the only screws I can find are on the speaker panel and under the glove box.

How do I go about removing my dashboard and the lights switch?

Thanks a lot!

- Matt
Matthijs van der Meer

Don't remove the dashboard - it's an awful job. To get at the light switch, unscrew the bezel from the front with needle-nosed pliers and pull the switch out from behind. Removing the radio gives access. You can also do it by lying with your head in the drivers side footwell and groping up behind the dash using a torch (flashlight). It's not easy, but much preferable to taking out the dashboard. The wiring behind the dash is a real rats nest and you have to disconnect the oil and water gauges, the latter having that long coiled capillary plugged into the thermostat housing - no don't do it.

Mike
Mike Howlett

Matt. I am not sure, exactly, what you are speaking of. (In light of Mike's post.) I also own a 68 GT, but is is the US spec model with the Abingdon Pillow dash. As Mike notes, removal of the dashboard is a real bear. With our style of dashboard, the switch is a rocker type and has no bezel to remove. The switch is located on the dash to the left of the steering wheel. Hence, removing the radio is not an option since it is located on the panel on top of the tranny tunnel. I broke the switch out, removed the wires and reconnected them to the new switch, then installed the switch. It has been working for a number of years. Les
Les Bengtson

Should be similar to a MK1 dash. First disconnect the ground from the battery. I don't remove the radio, I just take the face plate off and move it back to access the back side of the switches.
Jim Lema

UK had toggle switches until the 72 model year. Always disconnect the battery ground cable before dealing with the lighting switch, especially the toggle type that that removes from the back, as it has an unfused brown wire. However I'd check I was not getting any voltage on the blue wire at the dipswitch first, which may be easier to get at.
Paul Hunt

Thanks for the tips. I can get at the back of the light (pull-type) switch via the radio bay. However, I'm unable to remove the switch because the front part (that needs to be removed before you can take the switch out) won't come off! I can depress the little spring that holds the front just fine, but it seems like it's glued to the switch. (I tried the same thing on the map reader switch, and there it comes off just fine!)

Any suggestions for getting off the front part?

There's four wires connected to the switch, two red ones, one brown one, and a blue one. Is this the blue one you are referring to, Paul? I'm studying the Haynes wiring diagrams but I can't figure out which wires the switch connects to turn the headlights on!

Thanks a lot to you all!

- Matt
Matthijs van der Meer

Ah, this wiring diagram is quite useful:

http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/lights1.htm

Matthijs van der Meer

Success, I heated the metal part of the switch with a lighter and subsequently the plastic cover came off. The switch indeed appears to be broken so I'll be ordering a new one!

- Matt
Matthijs van der Meer

This thread was discussed between 17/05/2003 and 19/05/2003

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